Lennox's POV

A knock echoed through the study, and I instantly knew it was Damien. He didn't wait for us to let him in—he opened the door and stepped inside.

I glared at him as he entered, but he didn't seem bothered by it. Rather, he began speaking.

"I know being sorry won't make up for all the terrible things I did to you three, but I just want you to know that I'm truly sorry..." He paused, inhaling deeply.

"These past three years I haven't been myself... I made decisions I regret now, and I wish I could turn back the hands of time and undo them, but I can't..."

My frown deepened. Still, I said nothing.

"I only hope that one day, the three of you find it in your hearts to forgive me…"

He didn't wait for our response. With quiet dignity, he turned and left the room.

Before we could even process his words, a guard entered and bowed respectfully. "Alphas, the trial has begun."

I nodded and exchanged glances with my brothers. Together, we rose to our feet and made our way to the pack hall.

The moment we stepped into the hall, every person present rose to their feet and bowed their heads respectfully.

My brothers and I walked forward in unison, each step echoing with authority. We took our seats at the front, flanked by guards and elders. The hall was packed, yet it felt cold. Tense. No one dared to speak.

The trial began immediately.

Anita's father was brought forward, shackled in chains and brought in by warriors. He looked older than I remembered. Just one day in the dungeon, and he looked like a shadow of himself.

The charges were read aloud: Treason, use of black magic... attempted murder.

There was no need for arguments. No need for defense. Even as the elders began their formal questioning, my mind had already made its decision. All this was just formalities.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Anita.

She sat silently among the front rows, her head lowered, her shoulders trembling. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks. She wasn't supposed to be here, but she had begged to stay for her father's trial.

When the questioning ended, all eyes turned to me.

It was time.

I stood, my eyes darting around the room.

"After careful deliberation and overwhelming evidence, this council finds you guilty on all counts."

Anita's father said nothing. He simply stared ahead, like the words meant nothing to him.

I took a deep breath and glared at him.

"As Alpha of this pack, I hereby decree that you, and your entire bloodline, be banished. Effective immediately."

Gasps echoed across the room.

Anita buried her face in her hands, her sobs breaking the silence.

"And as for you…" I said, turning my gaze back to the man who had caused so much pain, "You are to be crucified to death at the border. Let your punishment be a warning to all who think of betraying this pack."

He still didn't flinch. Not a word. Not a plea. It was obvious he was expecting this.

Anita and her mother began crying, but I ignored them and turned to the guards.

"Make sure the verdict is carried out today."

The guards nodded and bowed.

Levi and Louis rose beside me, and together, we exited the now chaotic hall.

Back at the mansion, we entered the sitting room to find our parents waiting.

Father stood stiffly near the fireplace, while Mother rose from one of the couches the moment she saw us.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, like she'd been crying.

"Lennox… Levi… Louis," she began softly, stepping forward. "I know you're angry. I know what we did was wrong. I just—"

"Stop," I cut her off.

She froze.

I looked at her, frowning. "No more excuses. No more tears."

She swallowed hard, clearly trying to keep herself together.

"I was scared," she whispered. "I thought I was doing what was best—"

"What was best for you," Louis snapped coldly. "Not for us. Never for us."

She flinched, like the words physically struck her.

Father didn't say anything. He hadn't said much since everything came to light. He just stood there—silent.

Levi crossed his arms. "Do you have any idea what we've been through because of your lies?"

Our mother nodded through her tears but couldn't find her voice.

I turned to Dustin, who stood quietly behind us, waiting for instruction.

"Prepare a two-year trip for both of them," I said flatly. "They leave tomorrow morning."

Mother gasped. "Lennox, no—please!"

But I didn't even look at her.

"I want the journey mapped. No contact with this pack, no contact with us."

"They're to reflect," Levi added.

"To think," Louis finished.

Dustin gave a sharp nod and turned to leave.

"Lennox," Mother pleaded again, her voice shaking. "I'm still your mother…"

"No," I said, finally looking her in the eyes. "You were. But mothers protect their children. They don't destroy them from the inside."

She broke into sobs then, sinking back onto the couch, her face buried in her hands.

Father still said nothing. He just stared at the floor.

We left the sitting room without another glance at our parents. None of us spoke as we made our way upstairs, each lost in our own thoughts.

Once inside our shared quarters, the silence remained.

We sat in our usual spots, but no one said a word for a long time.

The crackle of the fireplace was the only sound in the room.

Finally, Levi broke the quietness.

"Did you send the maids to Olivia?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes. They should be arriving soon. I told her to notify the guards at the border."

Louis leaned back, his arms crossed tightly. "I miss her," he muttered, almost under his breath. "I wish she was here."

I glanced at him, and the words hit me.

I missed her too.

Despite everything, despite knowing we were related, despite the blood feud and the tangled mess between our families, it didn't change how I felt.

It didn't erase what she meant to me.

I stared into the fire, my jaw tight, trying to keep the pain from swallowing me whole.

Then Levi sat up straighter, his eyes lighting up with something mischievous.

"I have an idea," he said.

We both turned to look at him.

His lips curled into a half-smirk.

"A plan," he added. "To get Olivia here. Instantly."

My brow furrowed.

Louis leaned forward. "What kind of plan?"